Who We Are

Although most teachers think of the Teacher Center as the office staff, the Teacher Center is governed by a Policy Board and they are people who oversee our all Teacher Center activities, from National Board Certification workshops to Driver Safety training to our course offerings. By law, we have representation from school administration, private industry, private school, higher education, parent and teachers. The Policy Board has fought hard to keep classes free and ensures the Center is as teacher friendly as possible.

Our returning members are: From private industry, Kevin Cacace, from private school Helen DiNoia, from Higher Education Ellen Meier, from the Board of Education: Sheryl Chasin and Tanya Jenkins and our teacher members are Michael Ciriello, Lila Council, James Hayes, Roz Kendrick-Jones, Jen Lorio, Kara Popiel, and Bill Roney.

Norma Grohowski will be stepping down as our parent member. We thank her and welcome her replacement at Montessori 27, we look forward to Kelly Chirella’s contributions this year.

The second from our Policy Board to leave is Sharon Woods. We thank her for her contributions, her attention to detail and the impact of her years of experience. We wish her well on her new life in retirement.

The final departure from our Policy Board is our longest serving member to leave and a maker of State-Wide Policy Board history. Samantha Rosado-Ciriello is leaving us after 9 years of service. She has been instrumental in producing our self-studies, evaluating Mini-Grants and our Mentoring program. But back to the history, Samantha and Michael are the first couple to meet while serving on our Policy Board. Once you get involved, you can never know where life will take you.

Dan Florin will be joining us as well, He teaches in School 9 and is Elementary Vice-President in the YFT. We look forward to his future contributions to our Policy Board.

Other changes include our new Secretary, Miriam Rodriguez. She comes to us from the Scholastic School and with 17 years experience in the District. Equally, we wish to thank Rosemary Curcio for her work here these past three years. We wish Roe well at Martin Luther King Elementary School. Sue Insler is also in the office and Diane Brinkman continues to run the MEET Peer Mentoring program. Together, we hope to assist you as much as possible

What We Are

Through the efforts of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), New York State Resource and Computer Centers were instituted in 1984. The Richard Gazzola Teacher Center of Yonkers, which services public and non-public teachers of Yonkers, was established in 1988 through a grant from New York State and is presently housed at YECAC, 1109 North Broadway. Many teachers refer to the building as the Mansion. Our electronic address is www.rgteachercenter.org.

What We Do

The Richard Gazzola Teacher Center supports District and State initiatives by offering courses and workshops as well as individual support to teachers by teachers. These initiatives are aimed at improving teaching and student learning. Teacher Centers are governed by Policy Boards composed of a majority of teachers, as well as administrators, representatives of post-secondary education, business and parents. Our Policy Board chair is Nancy Ciraldo, a special education teacher at Emerson Middle School.

The Richard Gazzola Teacher Center has a lending library. Teachers are encouraged to borrow and/or make copies of our materials. Our library includes software, professional publications, NYS Standards and resource guides, Big Books and various educational magazines to name a few. We also have four digital still cameras and one digital video camera, laptops (Windows & Mac) and an LCD projector that teachers may borrow for up to a two-week period. The Center has an Ellison Letter Cutter Machine with various cutting dies, poster maker, laminator bookbinding machine and button maker that teachers may use at the Center.

Our hours are 8:00-4:30, except on Fridays when we close at 4:00. We will stay open later if teachers call in advance.

In-Service Courses

Registration is over and we are off to a very successful start. By the time you read this, late registrations will not be accepted but keep your eyes open, opportunities arise all year long. We advertise new courses and trainings both through your Teacher Center Representative and through our website. As always, you can call us. Our extension 8614 was out of service at the start of the year, we apologize for any frustration that may have caused. You can always try 376-8615.

Six Credits in Cooperative Discipline

M arilyn Fanelli will be offering a graduate course in Cooperative Discipline. Three Credits will be earned through a practicum based on the three credits in cooperative discipline. Many of you have experienced a similar model in the Westchester Community College courses.

The cost is $1040.00 and that includes the textbook. The class meets on Wednesdays, starts October 3 rd, and includes two Saturdays as well.

By the time this comes to press, you will have only 2 days left to register. Call (800) 654-3210 extension 7107. Ask for Jeanette in Admissions.

Grants and Resources

WWW.Teacherscount.org has an extensive listing of grants. Although we do not partner with these organizations, we think you should know they exist.

Peer Mentoring Program

M.E.E.T. (Mentoring Experienced and Evolving Teachers)

The Richard Gazzola Teacher Center in partnership with the Professional Development Department and the Yonkers Federation of Teachers will be offering our peer-mentoring program for the 2007-2008 school year. Since the District is providing the mandatory mentoring for new teachers, we will focus on those more experienced teachers who decide they want a mentor. Newer Teachers who do not qualify for the mandatory program are especially welcome here but any teacher who feels they would benefit from a mentor is urged to reply. The peer-mentoring program is, as always, confidential and non-evaluative. Teachers requesting assistance should contact the Teacher Center for an application. Applicants are paired with a teacher in the same tenure area who offers her/his expertise based on the mentee’s needs.

Defensive Driving Courses

The Richard Gazzola Teacher Center will be hosting the NYSUT Defensive Driving Course twice at the Roosevelt Library from 8:30 – 3:00. This Fall, there are three dates: Saturday October 27 th, October 27 th and December 1 st. Registration will be accepted for one session only. You may indicate your second choice, but it will only be honored if there is room. In order to be eligible for the discount you must be the principal operator of a vehicle.

Benefits of the Program:

• 10% discount on personal injury, bodily injury & property damage, liability coverage and collision.
• Discounts for 3 years
• Removal of up to 4 points

The program is open to NYSUT members and their families. Registration will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 30 in the class. The cost of the program is $25.00. You can register by mail or in person. We must have the check with the registration. No Faxes accepted! Make checks payable to NYSUT Benefit Trust. The deadline for registration is October 10 th.

Defensive Driving Course Registration

Mail or Bring to the Teacher Center with check

Please circle:

Saturday, October 27

Or

Saturday, November 3

Or

Saturday December 1

Member Name__________________________

School Building_________________________

Home Phone ___________________________

Names of family member attending: ______________________________________

NYSUT EDUCATION LEARNING TRUST

This is just a reminder to check out http://eltweb.nysut.org/iqweb for interesting graduate, college and in-service courses. Remember that all in-service courses must have prior approval if you wish to apply them to a lane change.

Catalogue

You should have already received your Teacher Center Catalogue, in the event you do not have it, please call us or visit our website, www.rgteachercenter.org. Below are the titles of our courses.